CHAPTER 23: THE NEW GUILD

"Uhn, am still alive," Fang mumbled, his eyelids fluttering open.

"He's finally awake," Oscar announced.

Fang's blurry vision focused on Oscar and two others in the room, their hands glowing with healing energy. "But why?" Fang asked, confused as to why he was still alive.

"Well, for some reason, Hazel wants you alive," Oscar replied.

"Alive, but why...?" Fang started, his words cut short by a system notification.

~Fangs notification~

{Player, you are now a subordinate of the player called Hazel}

{Your leveling up will be slowed, for whatever EXP you gain will be shared between you and your master}

{Obey your master, for he has the power to kill you with just a word}

{Legion Guild has defeated the Fang Guild}

{Legion Guild now owns Fang Guild}

"What? How?" Fang exclaimed in bewilderment.

"I guess you must have received the notification. Well, yeah, you're now Hazel's subordinate, or rather, slave," Oscar explained matter-of-factly.

"Are you able to stand?" Oscar asked.

"Yeah," Fang replied, pushing himself up.

"Good. Let's go meet Hazel. He said he wants to see you once you're awake," Oscar said, leading Fang towards the hotel's roof.

They found Hazel standing alone, though Oscar knew Alexa was likely nearby, keeping watch. "Oh, I can see you're doing well and better," Hazel said to Fang.

"Hey, why did you let me live?" Fang demanded.

"That's quite simple," Hazel replied calmly. "We need our people to level up as fast as possible, but due to the constant leveling, we've killed all the monsters around this area. But since you can bring them to us, we want you to do just that."

"So, you left me to live just so you can use me as a tool? I'd rather die," Fang spat out.

"Yeah, and I know you'll do your work perfectly," Hazel said, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Whatever," Fang muttered, turning and walking away.

Hazel remained on the roof, knowing Alexa was observing him from the shadows. "Hmmm, I wonder what our guild ranking is now," he mused, opening the guild platform.

Legion Empire Guild was ranked number 7 out of the top ten. "7th? Not a good number. Doesn't sound right in my mouth. I think 1st sounds better," Hazel declared to himself.

~System notification~

{Warning, warning}

{A deadly virus is leaking into your world}

{This virus, once it infects you, some changes may occur}

{Watch out for this virus}

~End of System notification~

"Ahh, the system just can't stop bringing up new things," Hazel sighed. "No matter, I will battle everything in sight to protect my people."

"Who would think there could be a pandemic in an apocalypse world?" Hazel wondered aloud. "Alexa, you know what to do," he said, fully aware of her presence.

Alexa, surprised he noticed her again, simply replied, "Yes," and disappeared into the shadows.

She gathered everyone, including those still out fighting monsters, for a meeting regarding the ominous message. They assembled in the nearly completed hall.

"Have you all seen the notification?" Hazel asked. A chorus of "yeah" and "yes" echoed through the hall.

"Good. You know what that means, right? Everyone will be staying inside the guild's region, and the safety barrier will always be up, set to keep humans out as well," Hazel announced. "This virus that is leaking in... we don't know exactly what it is, so it's better for us to be careful."

Everyone focused on the remaining construction, and thanks to the imposed isolation, it was completed quickly within a week. The hall, the mansion, and the expanded hotel were all finished.

With their tasks complete, everyone settled into their new accommodations. Hazel was in his luxurious room, sitting on the bed and browsing the system platform. "Wait a minute, I don't think I've seen this guild before," he muttered. "Is this the virus? This is dangerous." The guild's name was "Vampire Guild."

~Boooom~

~Booom~

"Someone is trying to break the barrier," Hazel said, leaping out of his window and flying towards the source of the explosions.

He arrived to find two figures – a man and a woman. "Hey, leave here at once! This place is off-limits!" Hazel commanded.

The man laughed, and then Hazel received a notification:

{The Vampire Guild has declared war on Legion Empire Guild}

"Shit," Hazel cursed under his breath, his face contorted in a frown as he looked at the vampires.

The titleholders arrived, having also received the war declaration. Hazel landed before them. "I will take them alone. No matter what, don't come out of this barrier."

They tried to dissuade him, but Hazel could sense the intense auras emanating from the vampires outside the barrier. Thankfully, the barrier creators were high-level, their constant use of their abilities making the defense strong.

Hazel flew through the barrier to confront the intruders. "Please leave now," he urged the vampires.

"Make us," the female vampire sneered.

"With pleasure," Hazel replied, transforming into his lemon form, his most powerful state. His aura erupted like wildfire.

"Ohh, we have a strong one," the male vampire commented.

The vampires also released their auras, a thick, crimson energy that felt like raw blood. The male vampire launched the first attack, appearing with incredible speed behind Hazel and delivering a powerful kick. Hazel couldn't react fast enough.

Watching this display, the other titleholders realized this was a battle far beyond their current capabilities.

Hazel was sent crashing towards the ground but managed to right himself just before impact. "You are definitely strong. I will give you that," Hazel acknowledged the vampire who attacked him.

"Don't forget about me," the female vampire said, appearing behind Hazel. But he was ready this time.

Hazel grabbed her leg and slammed her into the ground. She coughed, winded by the impact. The male vampire immediately moved to intercept any follow-up attack.

"Let's get this over with," Hazel declared, summoning his scythe.